Ashford, Alvin Lead Be Our Valentine Concert At Merkin Concert Hall

Miracle House, a New York City charity that provides temporary housing, meals and advocacy to patients and caregivers coming to the city for critical medical treatment, announced today that its "Be Our Valentine" concert will feature performances by Broadway stars Annaleigh Ashford, Farah Alvin, Terry Burrell, and Ed Staudenmayor among many others. The event will be held on Monday, February 14, 2011 at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center in New York, New York.

This is the first annual Miracle House Valentine's Day Broadway concert, and Miracle House looks forward to continuing this exciting tradition in the years to come. This year, we will be paying tribute to the founder of the Miracle House Meal Program, Nita Pippins. Unique to Miracle House, this supportive program provides our patients and caregivers with nutrition, courage, and emotional support.

"Nita Pippins is that rare individual who rose from a personal tragedy and used her experience to help make an impact on the lives of others. Through her work with Miracle House, she created a lasting program that provides compassion, support and courage to those facing a life challenging illness."said Jesse Ramos, Chief Executive Officer of Miracle House.

Miracle House provides temporary housing, meals, and advocacy to caregivers and patients coming to New York City for critical medical treatment. Founded in 1990 by a small group of friends responding to the AIDS crisis, Miracle House now supports over 1,000 people annually coming to New York City for critical medical treatment. Many families that stay at Miracle House would not be able to afford to come to New York for medical treatment if not for our vital services.

For more information about Miracle House, please visit www.miraclehouse.org. Miracle House is a 501 (c)(3) organization.

About Annaleigh AshfordAnnaleigh has starred on Broadway in Legally Blonde, Wicked, and Hair. In 2006, she originated the role of Margot (Elle Wood's ditzy and perky Delta Nu Sister) in Legally Blonde. In 2007, she took over the role of Glinda in Wicked. In 2008, Annaleigh assumed the role of Glinda in the Chicago Company of Wicked. She also has a cameo appearance in the movie, Sex and the City and Anne Hathaway's Rachel Getting Married.

About Farah AlvinFarah Alvin has been making a name for herself in the recording and theater world for over 15 years. Most recently, Farah starred as Missy Miller in the hit Off-Broadway show The Marvelous Wonderettes for which she received a 2009 Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical. She has appeared on Broadway in Grease!, Saturday Night Fever, The Look of Love: The Music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the Tony Award winning revival of Nine, and Madison Square Garden's A Christmas Carol. Now an accomplished songwriter, Farah spends much of her performance time singing her own music backed by her band The Farah Alvin Orchestra. Her debut album "someday", released in 2003, is available for purchase at cdbaby.com

Terry's Broadway credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Swinging On A Star, Honky Tonk Nights, Eubie, Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods, and Lorrell Robinson in the original production of Dreamgirls. Terry is currently working on a one-woman show about the life of Ethel Waters (Ethel: A Conversation with Ms. Waters) to premiere at the Walnut Street Theater.

About Edward StaudenmayerEd is starring in the highly anticipated upcoming Frank Wildhorn Broadway musical, Wonderland. He has also starred in Monty Python's Spamalot in Las Vegas and played opposite Martin Short for many performances in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me on Broadway. He's had an over 17 year association with Forbidden Broadway taking him Off-Broadway, around the world, and onto three cast recordings.

About Nita PippinsIn 1990 Nita Pippins, a retired nurse from Florida, moved to New York City to take care of her son who had become gravely ill with AIDS. After her son's death she chose to stay in New York.

When Miracle House opened its first apartment she started volunteering and began to take guests to breakfast at a local diner so they could talk about their loved ones. For many it was the first time they had spoken about AIDS. She did it on her own, picking up the tab, every morning for months until the concept became an integral part of Miracle House services.

Our Meal Program combined with the support of both volunteers and other patients provide something which conventional therapy cannot; companionship, friendship and the hope built from relating to others.